Kovind presents Presidential Colours

Coimbatore, Mar 3: President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday presented the coveted Presidential Colours to Air Force Station, Hakimpet, and 5 Base Repair Depot at the Air Force Station, Sulur, near here.

After presenting the Colours, he also witnessed a display by the Akash Ganga team, IAFs own daredevil paratroopers who performed stunts at 10,000 ft height and landing at predetermined spots, besides a flypast by IAF aircraft, fighters, transports and helicopters.

The Parachute jumpers of the IAF also demonstrated a tri-colour formation at the Colour Presentation ceremony. The Sarang Helicopter aerobatic team and Tejas and Air Warrior Drill also performed aerobatics and display to mark the occasion. The Sulur Air Force Station was the IAF’s only airbase to accommodate and operate fighter, transport and helicopter aircraft.

“Once the defence corridor, in which Coimbatore is an integral part comes up, the Sulur Air Force will gain importance. Though aircraft are imported, their spares required maintenance that can then be bought from the newly coming up Defence Park', official sources said. They said 20 acres have been identified for DRDO for the project.

The Sulur air base, constructed by Royal Navy in 1942, was first commissioned in 1942-43 during World War II and was placed under the then South East Asia Command. The airfield was later taken over by the IAF in 1956 as a care and maintenance unit.

The depot has serviced 233 Avros and 77 Dornier aircraft till date and the numbers were still growing. As recognition of its high standards, the depot has been earmarked to receive Maintenance Transfer of Technology for notables and engine for the state-of-the -art Pilatus PC-7 trainer aircraft. UNI